The Albuquerque Police Department’s Traffic Division investigated three incidents over the weekend, leading to arrests. One of these incidents involved a crash believed to have been caused by drag racing.
On September 21, just before 3:00 p.m., APD’s on-call Fatal Crash Team responded to a crash at Gibson Boulevard SE and Girard Boulevard SE. Witnesses reported seeing three vehicles racing westbound on Gibson. Video from the Real Time Crime Center showed a green Chevrolet and a purple Dodge speeding through the intersection, followed closely by a silver Kia.
An orange Mitsubishi traveling eastbound on Gibson attempted to turn north onto Girard when it was struck by the silver Kia, causing significant damage. The driver of the Mitsubishi sustained major injuries and is in critical condition. The driver of the Kia also suffered injuries and was taken to the hospital. Speed appears to be a contributing factor in this ongoing investigation.
On September 22, near midnight, a Traffic Lieutenant observed a silver BMW fleeing a traffic stop east on Central Avenue without lights or license plates. Air Support tracked the vehicle as it ran multiple red lights. A passenger jumped from the car near Summer Avenue and San Mateo Boulevard, sustaining injuries.
The car eventually stopped in the UNMH parking garage where officers detained Isaac Suina, 20, who was hiding under another vehicle. Suina had possession of the vehicle keys, title, and a backpack suspected to contain a firearm. He exhibited signs of alcohol impairment and had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Suina was booked for DWI, Aggravated Fleeing, Resisting/Evading an Officer, and his felony warrant. Additional charges are pending search warrants for both the vehicle and backpack.
In another incident on September 22 after midnight, a Traffic Officer saw a purple Dodge Charger Hellcat without registration speeding westbound on Central Avenue near Downtown. The driver fled during an attempted traffic stop, reaching speeds up to 140 mph on I-40 before stopping briefly at Whole Foods parking lot on Carlisle.
Despite efforts to stop him again at high speeds using tire deflation devices, Brian Rosales, 21, continued running red lights until he stopped due to excessive tire damage at Owl Cafe on Eubank. Rosales was arrested for Aggravated Fleeing of Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting/Evading or Obstructing an Officer, Speeding (36 mph over), and various traffic violations.
Video footage from these arrests is available online.
